Barcelona has officially welcomed Anthony Gordon as their first summer acquisition, reaching an agreement with Newcastle United for the transfer. The 25-year-old winger, who had also attracted interest from Liverpool and Bayern Munich, ultimately chose a move to the Catalan club, much to the surprise of many.
Gordon joins Barcelona after a successful three-season spell at Newcastle, where he arrived in 2023 for a fee of โฌ45.6 million from Everton. During his time with the Magpies, he made 152 appearances, contributing 39 goals and 28 assists. This past season was his most prolific, with 17 goals and five assists in 46 matches, including an impressive 10 goals in 12 Champions League appearances. The reported transfer fee for the England international is around โฌ80 million, with potential add-ons.
The club confirmed Gordon’s signing on Friday, following his arrival in Barcelona on Thursday. After successfully completing his medical, he was seen dining with his representatives, Barcelona Sporting Director Deco, and Head of Scouting Joao Amaral. Gordon officially signed a contract that will keep him at the club until 2031. His presentation to the media experienced a nine-hour delay due to bureaucratic procedures related to his contract.
“Winning the Sixth Champions League Would Be Special”
Speaking to the press after the signing, Gordon conveyed his ambition: “I want to win every trophy, but the Champions League is special. Winning the sixth would be special. If it were in the first season, it would be magnificent.” This statement clearly signals his intent to make an immediate impact.
Gordon also shared his immense enthusiasm for joining Barcelona, admitting that he learned of their interest quite late in the transfer process. “Playing for Barca is the greatest thing, the greatest on the planet. It comes with a lot of responsibility, but Iโm ready. The players who have worn this shirt carry a lot of weight. You donโt sign for a club like this every day.” He added, “When I found out it was a serious option, I didnโt hesitate. Itโs a dream come true to be on the best team in the world.”
Demonstrating his dedication, Gordon addressed some of his questions in Spanish, revealing that he had been practicing the language for some time. “I wanted to speak Spanish because I thought I would play for Barรงa since I was three, believe it or not. Also, in Newcastle, I had a physiotherapist we spoke every day. Thatโs why.”
Gordon: “What Flick Has Done with Barcelona Is Incredible”
When asked to compare his style to current Barcelona players like Raphinha or Lamine Yamal, Gordon leaned towards the Brazilian winger. “If I had to choose a style, it would be Raphinhaโs, because of his intensity, speed, and technique. I want to help the team with goals and assists, because thatโs what wins games.”
He expressed excitement about playing alongside talents like Lamine Yamal and the rest of the squad, recognizing them as top players. Gordon also shared his thoughts on manager Hansi Flick, mentioning a brief conversation with him. “He seems like a really nice person and a great coach, incredible manager. What heโs done at Barca in such a short space of time is incredible. I hope we can win many titles together.”
